Biphasic production of 2,4,6-triamino-1,3,5-trinitrobenzene (TATB)

Abstract

Production of 2,4,6-triamino-1,3,5-trinitrobenzene (TATB) through a safer, less harmful process while yielding a superior product is disclosed. The biphasic production process may include mixing a solution of 1,3,5-trichloro-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TCTNB) and a surfactant into a solvent in a sealed, heated vessel such that TATB is formed in a mixture. The biphasic production process may also include pressurizing the vessel with gaseous ammonia such that aqueous TATB is formed and separating the TATB from the mixture.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for producing 2,4,6-triamino-1,3,5-trinitrobenzene (TATB), comprising:
 performing ammonolysis of 1,3,5-trichloro-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TCTNB) by mixing ammonia gas with a solution of TCTNB, a solvent, and a surfactant in a reactor such that TATB is formed within a mixture; and 
 separating the TATB from the mixture. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the solvent comprises water. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the reactor comprises a sealed, heated pressure vessel. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ammonolysis comprises addition of gaseous ammonia at a sufficient temperature and pressure such that the TATB is formed. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 venting the reactor to reduce the pressure from the gaseous ammonia. 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 cooling the reactor and the mixture, or allowing the reactor and the mixture to cool, to approximately 60° C. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the surfactant comprises a phase transfer catalyst. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the phase transfer catalyst comprises a cationic ammonium salt. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the cationic ammonium salt is selected from the group consisting of tetra-alkyl ammonium salts, aryl-trialkyl ammonium salts, quaternary ammonium halides, quaternary ammonium carbonates, quaternary ammonium sulfates, and benzyltriethylammonium chloride. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the surfactant comprises a cosolvent surfactant. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the cosolvent surfactant comprises an anionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of sodium salts of alkyl carboxylates, potassium salts of alkyl carboxylates, ammonium salts of alkyl carboxylates, sodium dodecyl sulfate, and ammonium toluene-sulfonate. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the cosolvent surfactant comprises a miscible organic alcohol selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, and t-butyl alcohol. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the cosolvent surfactant comprises a miscible organic ether selected from the group consisting of dimethoxyethane, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, and 1,2-diethoxyethane. 
     
     
       14. A method for producing 2,4,6-triamino-1,3,5-trinitrobenzene (TATB), comprising:
 performing ammonolysis of 1,3,5-trichloro-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TCTNB) by mixing ammonia gas with a solution of TCTNB, water, and a cosolvent surfactant in a reactor such that TATB is formed within a mixture; and, 
 separating the TATB from the mixture. 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the cosolvent surfactant comprises an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, a miscible organic alcohol, a miscible organic ether, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the surfactant comprises an anionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of sodium salts of alkyl carboxylates, potassium salts of alkyl carboxylates, ammonium salts of alkyl carboxylates, sodium dodecyl sulfate, aryl carboxylates, and ammonium toluene-sulfonate. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the cosolvent surfactant comprises a miscible organic alcohol selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, and t-butyl alcohol. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 15 , where the cosolvent surfactant comprises the miscible organic ether, which comprises dimethoxyethane. 
     
     
       19. A method for producing 2,4,6-triamino-1,3,5-trinitrobenzene (TATB), comprising:
 performing ammonolysis of 1,3,5-trichloro-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TCTNB) by mixing ammonia gas with a solution of TCTNB, water, and a phase transfer catalyst in a reactor such that TATB is formed within a mixture; and, 
 separating the TATB from the mixture. 
 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 19 , wherein the phase transfer catalyst is selected from the group consisting of tetra-alkyl ammonium salts, aryl-trialkyl ammonium salts, quaternary ammonium halides, quaternary ammonium carbonates, quaternary ammonium sulfates, and benzyltriethylammonium chloride.